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The Ohio Machine’s first season has not run as smoothly as the team’s name might suggest.

The Machine enters the final game of its inaugural season tonight with a 2-11 record. Coach Ted
Garber said a victory against the Boston Cannons (8-5) would be a welcome step in the right
direction.

“You want to win it for the fans. It keeps positive thoughts in their minds in the offseason,”
he said. “This would be a great way to finish up a season and give us more confidence and momentum
going forward.”

Those positive thoughts have been few and far between for Machine supporters. The Machine is
trying to end a four-game losing streak and win its first game in Ohio since its home opener on May
19.

Defenseman Brett Hughes, who will officially announce his retirement from Major League Lacrosse
after the game, said that a rough season was to be expected from a team that lacked proven
firepower.

“When you are an expansion team, there are two schools of thought,” he said.“One is to get
players who are going to make an immediate impact and the other one is to build a foundation, and
that’s what we’ve done.”

Garber has tried to do so by playing talented, but unproven rookies, he said. Nine Machine
players have seen their first MLL action this season.

Although the rookie-laden roster has produced a forgettable record, the team’s margin of defeat
is a little more than three goals a game during the losing streak. That includes last week’s 19-13
loss the Cannons.

Boston’s roster includes Matt Poskay, the league leader in goals with 35, and Rabil Paul who
leads the league in points (69) and assists (37).

Despite the Cannon’s high-powered offense, Huhges said the expectations for his team remain
high.

“It doesn’t matter if you are in the playoff hunt or not, you go out there and the idea is to
play at your best to win,” he said. “I think the team would end on a high note. Would it carry over
to next year? It certainly doesn’t hurt, (but) the work starts again next year.”

Although Hughes will not be a part of that effort, he will soak up tonight’s experience and
postgame fan-appreciation activities. He said he expects the team to be improved next year after
his departure.

“The cement has set for a good foundation for this team going forward,” he said. “We are a few
goals away from being a playoff team.”